Nice!

Thursday afternoon shortly after 4:00 pm Mary Jane and I were watching CNN when Breaking News flashed on the television screen that there had been a large refrigeration truck drive through a massive group of people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France. The nineteen ton white truck sped down the Promenade des Anglais swerving to the left and right in order to strike and run over and kill as many of the people, who were returning from the fireworks show, as possible.

We were fear stricken as our dear friends Margo and Jeff live in Nice! We immediately began to email and text them both and were so relieved to hear that Margo was just ahead of the massacre and had been able, along with many others, to run into one of the restaurants for safe shelter. She was shaken by the incident but safe!

Jeff was in the United Kingdom working with his business at the time of the heinous act…but rushed to be by Margo’s side as quickly as possible.

Two years ago this past June we were with Margo and Jeff in Nice. Nice is a lovely, peaceful, friendly city. We walked along the Promenade des Anglais at least once a day for the week that we were there.

I thought of the sweet people in the Hat Store where Mary Jane and I both purchased a hat. I thought of the lovely people that we met in the various restaurants that we ate in. The great group of authors that we met at a meeting that Margo invited us to…they were so kind…and caring.

It makes a difference when you have actually been to a geographical location that later experiences tragedy.

Across our planet we have a growing affinity with violence. It is thought by many that, “The only way to fight fire is with fire.”

Certainly the swiftest prosecution of murderers and those who support terrorism is necessary and appropriate. But there has to be a deeper answer for the Cancer that is growing across the Globe.

I wonder if we all work to create more love and understanding with those who are demonized and set apart…and disenfranchised…can we make a difference in our generation?

There is no rationale or reasoning that will cause me to understand how anyone can cavalierly murder innocent people, including children. The dramatic turn to bloodshed has frozen societies…politics…and religions into a grudging acceptance of what until recently was beyond imagination. I think we must all ask God for answers…and work to promote healing among those we come in contact with.

Its sad honestly. I will never understand why anyone will think and act upon killing another I intentionally. I pray we can make a difference in this times though. The violence all around the world is really saddening and it messes up my brain whenever I think about it. God help us.